Diwali bonanza for railway employees: Cabinet approves 78 days wage as bonus

New Delhi: Days ahead of the Diwali celebrations, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) for the railway employees. As per the PLB, the railway staff will be entitled to bonus equivalent to wages for 78 days and the scheme will be applicable for the financial year 2021-2022.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur, briefing the press, informed that more than 11 lakh employees of the Indian Railways are set to benefit from this productivity linked bonus scheme. Under the 78 day wage bonus plan, the beneficiary can avail a maximum amount of Rs 17,951/-.

The PLB will be applicable for non-gazetted railway employees, excluding RPF/RPSF personnel, for the financial year 2021-22.

Cabinet has approved a Productivity Linked Bonus of Rs 1,832 crores for 11.27 lakh employees of railways.

The bonus will be for 78 days with a maximum amount of Rs 17,951 per beneficiary: Union Minister @ianuragthakur #CabinetDecisions pic.twitter.com/bvniD3rVBA

— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 12, 2022

The announcement of bonus to railway employees will put an extra burden of about Rs 1,832 crore on the exchequer. The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment of PLB is Rs 7,000/month.

Earlier, the Railway Ministry acknowledged the pivotal role played by its employees in delivery of services especially during the Corona & lockdown period. It lauded their daily contribution & service in stepping up the efficiency of goods Services via freight trains which acts as catalyst for the economy. During the lockdown period, while the economy came to a standstill, the Railway employees ensured that there was uninterrupted supply of essential goods & commodities like coal, fertilizer & others.